Cash crunch hits ECOWAS as Nigeria insists other should pay their dues

A cash crunch has hit the economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as one of its major financiers; Nigeria has insisted that other member nations who are in default in the payment of their dues meet their obligations before Nigeria makes further commitment in terms of payment of its dues.

According to an official of the commission who spoke with weekend vanguard, the worst hit department of the commission by the cash crunch is the ECOWAS court of Justice which is struggling to cope with the payment of its workers salaries.

The official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak on the matter said over the years; other members of the ECOWAS block have left the financing of the affairs of the commission to the three biggest economies of the region: Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Ghana.

However, with the dwindling prices of oil which is the main stay of the Nigerian economy as well as the recent civil war in Ivory Coast and Ghana’s economic down turn, it was no longer possible for the three countries to continue to bear the cost of financing the sub regional body.

Speaking on the cash crunch being faced by the commission the source hinted that some of the problems being experienced by the commission are self inflicted.

“Like all civil service, ECOWAS is in a deep mess largely self inflicted. There is a large duplication of functions and unnecessary creation of offices that are not really relevant to the functioning of the commission. The consequence is that the bureaucracy is over bloated with a huge toll on the finances of the commission.

”For instance, from an initial six commissioners, the commission has increased the number of commissioners to fourteen with a retinue of aides and other support staff which has taken a huge toll on the finances of the commission.

The consequence is that the core duties of the commission are being ignored at the expenses of payment of emoluments of its staff. Even as the major financier of the commission, Nigeria is not well represented in terms of staffing. I think it is the combination of this and the dwindling revenue to Nigeria that it decided that other members of the commission should also contribute their quota.

That decision is affecting the core responsibilities of the commission and if nothing is done urgently, it may soon grind to a halt” the source said.

Weekend Vanguard gathered that some countries in the region have not paid their dues for up ward of five years yet their nationals occupy very high position in the commission.

“The reality is that the expenditure pattern of the commission is not sustainable and unless all member nations meet their financial obligations, the commission’s duties ill be severely affected. For now, the ECOWAS court of justice is struggling to pay its workers salaries.

It may soon extend to other department if nothing is done. It is a very serious matter” the source said.

Some of the projects of the commission that face imminent danger as a result of the cash crunch are the impending elections in Ivory Coast, Guinea and the suspended elections in Burkina Faso which Nigeria contributed hugely to it before it was truncated due to the recent coup in the landlocked West African country.

It was gathered that an emergency meeting of the commission is being proposed for later next month to address the financial challenge facing the commission and to impress on the defaulting countries to pay up their dues.

Lamar Odom Opens Eyes & Squeezes Kim Kardashian’s Hand In Hospital

This is amazing news. Lamar Odom has reportedly shown some signs of improvement, opening his eyes and even squeezing Kim Kardashian’s hand! We have the details.

A miracle just might be at work! Lamar Odom, 35, is reportedly demonstrating some hope that he will get better. An insider has revealed that there have been encouraging signs, including Lamar fluttering his eyes, as well as grabbing his former sister-in-law, Kim Kardashian‘s hand! This news comes less than two days after Lamar was found unconscious inside a Nevada brothel on Oct. 13. The former NBA star has since been comatose inside the Sunrise hospital in Las Vegas.

“There have been a few encouraging moments, including when Odom briefly fluttered open his eyes and squeezed Kim Kardashian’s hand,” ET has learned, after speaking with a source close to Lamar.

Though the signs of improvement Lamar has shown are exciting, he sadly still faces an extremely tough road ahead. With his kidneys and heart both reportedly failing, he has been placed on dialysis, and his condition remains critical.

Additionally, Lamar has reportedly suffered multiple strokes since being admitted to the hospital which is a very bad sign as each stroke increases the likelihood of permanently entering a state of vegetation or death. “If he was down for long enough he will be gone, he’ll be in fruit and vegetable state,” Dr. John O’Dea revealed to us EXCLUSIVELY.

When Lamar was found inside the Love-Ranch brothel, he was reportedly excreting a substance from his nose and mouth, according to the 911 call made by a brothel employee, and he had allegedly been using various drugs.

Along with Kim, 34, Lamar’s ex-wife, Khloe Kardashian, 31, and her other sisters, Kendall Jenner, 19, and Kylie Jenner, 18, have also been by Lamar’s side as he fights for his life.

We are sending Lamar all the best, and are praying this is just the start of what will be a full recovery!

The suitcases and rucksack which contained Becky Watts's body:

Teenager's body was found in a shed in Bristol after she went missingHer stepbrother and his girlfriend are now on trial for her murderJury today told of objects found with her dismembered body in March Police have released photos of the bags which contained her body parts 

These are the suitcases and bags used to hide Becky Watts's body parts and the gruesome collection of tools used to dismember her.

A trial of the teenager's stepbrother and his girlfriend has heard shocking details of how police investigating her disappearance found her body divided between packages in a shed in Bristol.

The police today released photos of the bags they found, including some which contained some of the teenager's body parts.

Nathan Matthews has admitted killing Becky but claims it was unintentional and denies murder. His girlfriend Shauna Hoare - who was allegedly with him during the three days taken to cut up Becky's body - denies knowledge of the killing.

Becky's family members have fled the courtroom in tears this week as the horrific discovery of her body has been outlined by police forensics experts.

Police have released photos of the suitcases which contained some of Becky Watts's body parts and the tools prosecutors say were used to dismember the teenager

The jury heard this spotted suitcase contained the circular power saw prosecutors say was used to cut her up

Becky went missing in February and was later found dead.

Nathan Matthews is accused of murdering his stepsister Becky Watts and dumping her body in a friend's shed

Police Crime Scene Investigator Lucy Pinkard today told the jury that, in the shed where the body was found, officers also discovered a blood-stained knife with a 12cm blade, goggles, a screwdriver and handcuffs.

Ms Pinkard told the court: 'There was apparent blood and hair on the blade [of the knife].' 

The court heard that, in another suitcase, a circular power saw was found which prosecutors believe was used to cut up Becky's body.

Police officer Ian Walker told the court the saw was contaminated with blood and hair.

The jury was also shown a green jumper which had been cut down the back, as well as a onesie and a blood-stained duvet.

Schoolboy, 15, screaming 'Allahu Akbar' as he shoots his teacher with BB gun in class is arrested

The teenager is alleged to have planned to kill a teacher then steal vehicleHe would then kill himself by driving the vehicle into French police stationArmed with an airsoft gun, grenade and a knife, he changed his mindHe instead shot a teacher with the BB gun while screaming 'Allahu Akbar'

A 15-year-old has been arrested for screaming 'Allahu Akbar' and shooting his teacher with a BB gun after devising a plan to kill his literature tutor and die a martyr, it has been claimed.

A week after hatching his plan, the teenager brought a knife and airsoft gun and grenade to Oehmichen Technical School in the city of Chalons-en-Champagne, France.

He left his physics class to go and kill his literature teacher before changing his mind, returning and shooting his physics teacher with the BB gun.

The teenager brought a BB gun and knife to class at Oehmichen Technical School (pictured) in the city of Chalons-en-Champagne, France

The incident occurred in the city of Chalons-en-Champagne, in north east France (illustrated)

Giving himself up, the student then let all the pupils in the class leave before phoning police himself and being taken into custody.

Christian de Rocquigny, the prosecutor of Chalons-en-Champagne in France's north east, told the International Business Timesauthorities were now investigating how he became radicalised.

Ministerial Nominees: Buhari drops Ibeto

President Muhammadu Buhari has withdrawn the name of immediate past Deputy Governor of Niger State, Ahmed Musa Ibeto from the list of ministerial nominees sent to the Senate.

The President has sent a letter to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, notifying him of the withdrawal.

There is a report that the letter will be read at the floor of the Senate before screening commence on Wednesday.

Ahmed Musa Ibeto (Santurakin Kontagora) was born on January 15, 1959 at Ibeto headquarters of Ibelu District of Kontagora Emirate in Niger State.

His educational career started when he enrolled at LEA Primary School, Ibeto, in 1966. From 1973 to 1977, the academically ambitious Ahmed was at the government Secondary School, Rijau. Hon. Ahmed’s desire and determination for qualitative education took him to Zungeru College of Advance Studies (ZUCAS), Bida from 1979 to 1980.

From 1980 to 1985, he was at the famous Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History. He started his working career from 1977 to 1978 as a classroom teacher, immediately after leaving secondary school.

He had a stint as a Clerical Officer with the Federal College of Education (FCE), Kontagora, from 1978 to 1979. He served as the NYSC Liaison Officer, Yagba, FCT Abuja, from 1985 to 1986, during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.

Hon. Ahmed Musa Ibeto was from 1999 to 2003 appointed Senior Special Assistant on Protocol Matters to the immediate past Governor. He contested and won election into the Federal House of Representatives in 2003 under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and served as the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Power and later Chairman, House Committee on States and Local Governments.

Triple suicide bombing kills 7 in Maidugri

7 people have been confirmed killed in the triple bomb blast that occurred last night at Anilari-Cross in Maiduguri. Army spokesman Col. Sani Usman said the people were killed in suicide bombings staged by Boko Haram.

A resident said they heard heavy shooting as the terrorist stormed their community, which was followed by three explosions

Corpses of 2 children found in abandoned car

Palpable confusion has gripped the sleepy rural Awaka community in Owerri North Local Government area of Imo State, following the shocking discovery of corpses of two children inside an abandoned car.

The mysterious disappearance of the two children, as well as the shocking discovery of their bodies in the vehicle, attracted scores of sympathizers to the compound, close to a popular relaxation spot in Awaka (names withheld)

It was not very clear how the two youngsters were eventually found in the parked vehicle, but Vanguard, however, gathered that the two children had previously been declared missing by their parents.

A villager, who spoke on strict grounds of anonymity, recalled that “when the tarpaulin used in covering the vehicle was removed, the bodies of the two children were found.”

The man equally recalled that the vehicle had been parked on that spot for a long while, adding that the vehicle owner lives outside the shores of Nigeria.

“The owner of the parked vehicle lives outside Nigeria. I do not even remember when the owner of the vehicle last visited home. As at the day the sad incident was discovered, the vehicle owner was not at home,” the man said.

Answering a question, the villager affirmed that the police had already stepped into the matter, adding that “in the usual police fashion, they would critically probe all leads with a view to getting to the roots of the matter.”

When contacted for his comments, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, a deputy superintendent of police, said that he had not received any such information.

“As at the time of your inquiry, no such information has reached my table. It may come later, but for now, I have not received any such signal,” Enwerem said.

Paramedic bride rushes to the scene of an accident still wearing her wedding gown

Sarah Ray, who is a paramedic with Montgomery County Emergency Medical Services was on her way to her wedding reception when she heard about the accident and rushed out to help at the crash scene. She was photographed by her mother Marcy Martin as the emergency vehicles arrived in the background still wearing her wedding dress and shoes.

Speaking to Channel 5, Sarah said: "Anyone in the EMS field would’ve done the same thing. I don’t know if what I did was special but I was in a wedding dress."

Talking about the picture, she said: "I know the look that I’m giving my mom was the ‘Really mom? Right now you’re taking a picture?’ I’m sure we were a sight on the side of the road for people driving by."

Ray and her new husband Paul then carried celebrating their special day as no one was hurt in the minor crash.

And the striking viral image has now been liked over 12,000 times on Facebook. Sarah later wrote on Facebook:

"I just wanted to say thank you to everybody on here for all your kind comments. My husband and I were both there, even though I was the only one pictured. I really don’t think we did anything out of the ordinary. I would like to believe just about anybody in the medical field would have done the same, especially for family… dressed up or not. I’m just very thankful everyone was OK. We are proud of our job and proud to be part of Montgomery County EMS."

And people have taken to social media to express their admiration for the beautiful bride. "Now that is dedication."said Nicole Rabotski "First , congratulations on your wedding. Second, thank you for choosing a career that makes a difference in so many lives" added Debi Sateren.

Mum and 14 month old daughter killed by stray bullets from Festac Bank robbers

A mother and her 14 months old daughter were killed after being hit by stray bullets when robbers laid siege close to their house at Block 8, 23 Road House in Festac Town, Lagos, shooting sporadically from a machine gun during a bank robbery in Festac.

Uju, one of the residents of Block 8, where the stray bullet hit Mrs. Jane Beluchukwu-Ndirika, a nurse and her 14-month-old daughter Nmesoma said:

“While the shooting was going on, every one laid on the floor in their respective apartments.  I was with Jane in her parlour while her child was inside the room.  Suddenly, the child started crying and the mother stood up to carry her. As she was coming to the sitting room with the baby, a stray bullet perforated the window, hit the baby in the chest and also got the mother on the left side of her shoulder.  Immediately, she took the child back to the room and started shouting for help.   Nobody came to her rescue because people were running helter skelter for dear life.”

However, when the dust settled, a neighbour, identified as Irabor Sunday, reportedly rushed them to Mother and Child Hospital at the First Gate in Festac where they were confirmed dead.  The baby was, thereafter, taken back to the house while her mother was rushed to Lord’s Chosen  Church where a prayer session was organised for her revival. Vanguard  gathered that  at 3pm, her corpse was taken to  Igando General Hospital mortuary where she worked as a nurse.

EFCC arraigns professor over alleged N56m fraud

Ibrahim Lamorde, EFCC Chairman

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday arraigned a university professor, Brimmy Olaghere, before Justice U.P Kekemeke of the FCT High Court sitting in Apo, on a two-count charge of obtaining goods and cars by false pretence.

Mr. Olaghere had allegedly defrauded one Okwosu Chinedu and a company, Joyjoe Global Link Limited, of the sum of N56,032,000.

According to the first count, Mr. Olaghere defrauded Mr. Chinedu of goods worth over N20 million in July last year.

“That you Brimmy Asekhruagbon Uzimeghan Olaghere sometime in July 2014 in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did, with intent to defraud, obtained various goods worth N20,232,0000.

The first count said that the money was collected by the professor from Mr. Chinedu under the false pretence that the said goods were meant for “United Africa States”.

The charge added that Mr. Kekemeke committed an offence contrary to section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1 (3) of the same Act.

According to the second count, he collected eight cars worth N35,800,000 from Joyjoe Global Link Limited on pretence that United African Diaspora States, United African States, New Africa’s World Bank and Federated United African States ordered for the vehicles.

“That you Brimmy Asekharuagbon Uzimeghan Olaghere sometime in July 2014 at Abuja in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did, with intent to defraud, obtained eight cars/goods worth the sum of N35,800,000 from Joyjoe Global Link Limited under false pretence,” said the second count.

The false pretence, according to the count, was “that the said cars were meant for United African Diaspora States, United African States, New Africa’s World Bank and Federated United African States, which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1 (3) of the same Act.”

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

Following his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Onjefu Obe, asked the court for a trial date to present his witnesses.

The defence counsel, Ochumba Kingsley, however, urged the court to admit his client to bail, assuring that the accused person will be available to face his trial.

Mr. Kekemeke, thereafter, admitted the accused person to bail in the sum of N20 million and two sureties in like sum, the sureties must be senior civil servants and have landed property in FCT Abuja.

The case was adjourned to October 26, 2015 for commencement of trial.

Turkey warns U.S., Russia against backing Kurdish militia in Syria

A frame grab taken from footage released by Russia's Defence Ministry October 9, 2015, shows a Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber dropping a bomb in the air over Syria.

Turkey has warned the United States and Russia it will not tolerate Kurdish territorial gains by Kurdish militia close to its frontiers in north-western Syria, two senior officials said.

"This is clear cut for us and there is no joking about it," one official said of the possibility of Syrian Kurdish militia crossing the Euphrates to extend control along Turkish borders from Iraq's Kurdistan region towards the Mediterranean coast.

Turkey fears advances by Kurdish YPG militia, backed by its PYD political wing, on the Syrian side of its 900 km (560-mile) border will fuel separatist ambitions among Kurds in its own southeastern territories. But Washington has supported YPG fighters as an effective force in combating Islamic State.

"The PYD has been getting closer with both the United States and Russia of late. We view the PYD as a terrorist group and we want all countries to consider the consequences of their cooperation," one of the Turkish officials said.

Turkey suspects Russia, which launched air strikes in Syria two weeks ago, has also been lending support to the YPG and PYD.

"With support from Russia, the PYD is trying to capture land between Jarablus and Azaz, going west of the Euphrates. We will never accept this," the official said.

He said Turkey had raised its concerns at high level meetings with the U.S., European Union and Russia.

​UK to support Nigeria’s developmental programme​s​ with N65bn

British Prime Minister, David Cameron

The ​British government has pledged to support Nigeria’s effort towards ensuring stability and development with a commitment worth N65 billion.

The country’s minister for Africa, Grant Shapps, said on arrival in Abuja on his maiden visit to Nigeria that the two countries would work together to increase the nation’s prosperity in the areas of trade and security.

He said the UK government would provide a comprehensive package of support to Nigeria, by expanding military training and intelligence cooperation.

According to him, the UK would also assist Nigeria on anti-corruption capacity building and investigative support, and an annual development programme worth £218 million (about N65 billion).

He said the country would also contribute to the increasing prosperity at the heart of a thriving trade relationship worth £6.1 billion per year (about N1.8 trillion).

Mr. Shapps acknowledged UK government’s close relationship with Nigeria, saying during the visit he would meet with ministers and senior government officials, including vice president,Yemi Osinbajo; the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, and the Kaduna and Lagos State governors to discuss issues of common interest.

The itinerary of the visit indicates that Mr. Shapps would also see how the UK’s investment in Nigeria’s solar energy market could provide a clean and reliable answer to the country’s problem of energy access.

“The UK has a strong relationship with Nigeria and we will continue to promote vital investment, tackle corruption and create a safer and more prosperous future for the country,” Mr. Shapps said.

From a trade relationship worth over £6billion annually, he said​,​ the military cooperation of the UK government against Boko Haram was an indication that Nigeria was a country whose security and prosperity matter to the UK.

The minister said with more than half of Nigeria currently living without electricity, it was vital that more people were able to access clean and reliable solar energy.

Not only would this transform people’s everyday lives, he said it would provide tremendous opportunity for growth and national development.

The minister said he was determined to ensure that Britain build on its close relationship with Nigeria by sharing its skills, knowledge and expertise of developmental issues.

Mr. Shapps’ visit follows a series of meetings between the UK’s Prime Minister and President Muhammadu Buhari, most recently at the United Nations General Assembly, and the UK Foreign Secretary’s attendance at the president’s inauguration in May 2015.

Apple loses patent lawsuit to University of Wisconsin, faces hefty damages

An Apple logo hangs above the entrance to the Apple store on 5th Avenue in the Manhattan borough of New York City, July 21, 2015.

 Apple Inc could be facing up to $862 million in damages after a U.S. jury on Tuesday found the iPhone maker used technology owned by the University of Wisconsin-Madison's licensing arm without permission in chips found in many of its most popular devices.

The jury in Madison, Wisconsin also said the patent, which improves processor efficiency, was valid. The trial will now move on to determine how much Apple owes in damages.

Representatives for the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) and Apple could not immediately be reached for comment.

WARF sued Apple in January 2014 alleging infringement of its 1998 patent for improving chip efficiency.

The jury was considering whether Apple's A7, A8 and A8X processors, found in the iPhone 5s, 6 and 6 Plus, as well as several versions of the iPad, violate the patent.

Cupertino, California-based Apple denied any infringement and argued the patent is invalid, according to court papers. Apple previously tried to convince the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to review the patent's validity, but in April the agency rejected the bid.

According to a recent ruling by U.S. District Judge William Conley, who is presiding over the case, Apple could be liable for up to $862.4 million in damages.

He scheduled the trial to proceed in three phases: liability, damages, and finally, whether Apple infringed the patent willfully, which could lead to enhanced penalties.

WARF used the patent to sue Intel Corp in 2008, but the case was settled the following year on the eve of trial.

Last month, WARF launched a second lawsuit against Apple, this time targeting the company's newest chips, the A9 and A9X, used in the just-released iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, as well as the iPad Pro.

The case is Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation v. Apple Inc in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, No. 14-cv-62.

Ex-NBA star Lamar Odom found unresponsive at Nevada brothel: sheriff

- Former NBA star Lamar Odom was hospitalized on Tuesday after he was found unresponsive at a Nevada brothel, law enforcement officials said.

Odom, 35, the ex-husband of reality television personality Khloe Kardashian, suffered a "medical emergency" at the Love Ranch in Crystal, Nevada, about 80 miles (50 kms) northwest of Las Vegas, the Nye County Sheriff’s Office said in media release.

Odom was stabilized at the scene and was prepared to be airlifted to a Las-Vegas area hospital, but his "stature" made it impossible to transport him by helicopter, the release said.

Odom, whose career in the NBA included seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks, stands 6' 10" (2.08 meters).

The sheriff's office said an investigation was being conducted and gave no further details about Odom's condition of what caused the emergency.

A call to Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, where Odom is being treated, was not immediately returned.

The celebrity website TMZ reported that Odom had been at the brothel for days and a woman there found him unconscious in his VIP suite.

Odom played 14 seasons in the NBA. Kardashian, a reality TV star and a younger sister of the better-known celebrity Kim Kardashian, filed from divorce from the basketball star in 2013 after four years of marriage.

Concessioning: NLC threatens Imo govt over harassment of workers

NIGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday, said it would resist alleged use of police by Imo State Government to chase out workers from offices, especially, paratatals in order to concession them.

*Imo state Governor, Okorocha

Congress urged the Inspector General of Police, to immediately call to order the Imo State Police Commissioner to forestall a complete breakdown of law and order.

In a statement, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, General Secretary, of Ayuba Wabba led faction of NLC, in Abuja said “It has come to our attention that the government of Imo State is using the members of the Nigeria Police Force to chase out workers from offices, especially, paratatals in order to concession them. In the course of this, we have been reliably informed that scores of workers have been arrested, brutalised and tear-gassed.

“We would want to condemn, in strong terms, these unwholesome tactics in pursuit of a dangerous agenda by the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha. We will resist the use of the police to deal with an issue that is purely industrial.

“Accordingly, we urge the Inspector General of Police to immediately call to order the Imo State Police Commissioner in order to forestall a complete breakdown of law and order. We assure on our honour that if the police persist in the brutalisation and forceful ejection of workers from their offices, the Nigeria Labour Congress will mobilise its  workers to protest against this brutality.”